House Speaker Rick Thompson plans to resign his seat next month and accept a position in the Tomblin administration as Cabinet Secretary of the state Department of Veterans Assistance. Democrats unanimously chose the Wayne County lawmaker to serve as speaker for a fourth straight term last winter. Thompson has been Speaker since 2006 and a member of the state House of Delegates since 2000.
Thompson, who is a military veteran, is expected to leave his House seat on June 15 to accept the new position. The current Secretary of Veterans Assistance, Keith Gwinn, is planning to retire.
Governor Tomblin will have 10 days following Thompson’s resignation to call a special session so the House can elect a new Speaker.
The Senate has adjourned Sine Die and thus concludes the first Extraordinary Session of 2013.
The House convened today to consider and pass three bills and adjourned the 1st Extraordinary Session.
Senate Bill 1003, which relates to magistrate court system compensation, was passed along with Senate Bill 1005, which would make a supplementary appropriation from the Civil Contingent Fund and the Consumer Protection Fund.
House Bill 105 , which relates to administration, collection and enforcement of local sales, use and excise taxes by Tax Commissioner, was also passed.
The House stands adjourned.
The Legislature convened this evening for the 2013 First Extraordinary Session to complete legislation on two bills.
Bills that completed legislation this evening include Senate Bill 1001 , which would create a tax increment financing (TIF)district in Monongalia County to fund a new interchange off I-79 and a new baseball field to be used by West Virginia University and Minor League Baseball teams and House Bill 103 , relating to the funding of volunteer fire departments.
There are three other bills being considered including: Senate Bill 1004 , on 2nd reading in the Senate and Senate Bill 1003 and Senate Bill 1005 , both passed in the Senate and is on 1st reading in the House.
The Senate and House will both reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.
The Senate convened this evening to complete legislation on House Bill 2014 , the Budget Bill and three bills that were vetoed and sent back from Governor Tomblin. Bills that completed legislation today include: House Bill 2431 , modifying the application process for obtaining a state license to carry a concealed deadly weapon; House Bill 2814 , providing assistance to victims of human trafficking; and House Bill 3160 , which creates a pilot initiative on governance of schools jointly established by adjoining counties.
The Senate also adopted the Conference Committee Report for the Budget Bill and unanimously passed the bill, completing its legislation and sending it to the Governor for signature.
The Senate is in recess until today at 6:00 p.m.
The House convened today to pass three bills vetoed by the Governor and pass House Bill 2014, the Budget Bill. The House amended and re-passed House Bill 2431, House Bill 2814, and House Bill 3160. These bills were vetoed by the governor for technical reasons.
House Bill 2431, which relates to the application process for a state license to carry a concealed weapon, was passed along with House Bill 2814, which relates to human trafficking.
Also passed was House Bill 3160, which establishes a pilot initiative for schools. Schools that are built to serve students from two counties will establish a board to represent the needs of both counties. The House is in recess until 6:00 p.m.
UPDATE:
The House officially adjourned the Regular Session sine die.
The conference committee will meet today at 12 p.m. noon in 460M.
The House is adjourned until tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.
The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.
The conference committee will meet at 5:30 this evening in 460M.
The House will reconvene tomorrow at 11am.
The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 10am.
The Legislature adjourned at midnight tonight completing the 2013 Regular Legislative Session. Both chambers passed several concurrent resolutions and completed three bills total during the final floor session.
215 bills completed legislation during this session.
The House will convene Monday at 4:00 p.m.
The Senate will convene Monday at 5:00 p.m.
House Bill 2431, which would modify the application process for obtaining a state license to carry a concealed deadly weapon and House Bill 2805, which would make the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program a permanent program, both completed legislation. Senate Bill 435, which would continue the Municipal Home Rule Pilot Program.
The House will reconvene at 11 p.m.
The Senate reconvened this afternoon to complete 40 pieces of legislation. Among those includes Senate Bill 663, the Feed to Achieve Act, and Senate Bill 464, which would allow 14-16-year-olds to use tanning beds with written parental consent.
The Senate refused to accept the changes the House made to House Bill 2014, the Budget Bill.
The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 69 and House Concurrent Resolution 140, both of which would make July 16 "Atomic Veterans Day of Remembrance."
The Senate will reconvene tonight at 7:30pm.
UPDATE:
The Senate reconvened to complete eight bills and to receive and pass one bill.
Bills completed in the Senate this evening include Senate Bill 172, relating to nonintoxicating beer distributor licenses.
The only bill passed this evening is Senate Bill 580, which would update requirements for dental intern, resident and teaching permits. The bill has been sent back to the House for consideration.
The Senate is in recess until 9:00 p.m.
UPDATE:
The Senate reconvened this evening to complete three pieces of legislation including House Bill 2498, which will make it a crime for grand jurors to reveal the identity of an individual who is being indicted.
The Senate also passed two bills including Senate Bill 435, which will continue the Municipal Home Rule Pilot Program.
All House Concurrent Resolutions in the Transportation and Infrastructure committee report were adopted.
House Bill 2579, which would revise the state water quality standard for Selenium and House Bill 3135, which generally relates to voting system certification and procedures at the central counting center, were both completed. House Bill 2571, which relates to who may serve as members of the environmental quality board, was also completed.
The House is in recess until 7:30 p.m.
The conference committee on Senate Bill 435 will at at 5 p.m. in 208W.
UPDATE
The House completed legislative action on a number of House Bills including House Bill 2747, relating to Open Governmental Proceedings and House Bill 2738, relating to the Center for Nursing.
The House will reconvene at 9:30 p.m. tonight
Senate Bill 185, which relates to alternative-fuel motor vehicles and qualified refueling infrastructure tax credits and Senate Bill 190, which relates to public-private transportation projects funding, both completed legislation. Senate Bill 460, which exempts certain residents' active duty military pay from state income tax.
Eighteen bills have been amended, passed, and sent back to the Senate. Senate Bill 394 was one of those bills. It relates to scholarships for dependent children of state troopers who die in performance of duty. Senate Bill 22, requiring maternity services coverage for all health insurance plan dependents in certain circumstances, was also amended and passed.
The conference committee for Senate Bill 265 will meet at 2 p.m. in 252.
UPDATE:
The House amended, passed and sent back to the Senate four bills including Senate Bill 172, relating to nonintoxicating beer distributor licensees and also completed two bills including Senate Bill 630, relating to Chief Technology Officer's duties with regard to security of government information and Senate Bill 470, permitting wine sale on Sunday mornings at fairs and festivals.
Also, two House Resolutions including House Resolution 37, recognizing the 24th Anniversary of the "Doc for the Day" program and House Resolution 38, memorizing the life of the Honorable Loutellus M. Stout, farmer, association executive and public servant.
The House will reconvene at 4:00 p.m. today
The Senate convened this morning, the last day of the 2013 Regular Legislative Session, to complete 20 bills and amend and pass 18 bills, which were sent back to the House of Delegates for consideration.
Bills completed include House Bill 2717 , requiring that deputy sheriffs be issued ballistic vests upon law-enforcement certification. The bill requires the county commission of each county to expend from the general county fund, upon request and requisition by the sheriff, the necessary expenses of providing the vest.
House Bill 2513 was one bill the Senate passed this morning, improving enforcement of drugged driving offenses. Under this bill,any person who drives a motor vehicle in West Virginia is considered to have given implied consent for a secondary chemical test of the breath or of the blood for controlled substances or drugs.
The Senate is in recess until 1:30 p.m.
UPDATE:
The Senate reconvened this afternoon to complete eight bills and pass nine bills.
House Bill 3160 was one bill to complete legislation this afternoon. It creates a pilot initiative on governance of schools jointly established by adjoining counties. One school this bill will effect is a school being built that will serve students from both Lewis and Gilmer County. The bill will allow for a School Board comprised of two members from each county and a one state-level member.
Bills passed this afternoon include House Bill 3020 , also known as the "Michael Cunningham Bill". This bill will improve boat dock and marina safety. Cunningham was killed in a tragic electrical boat accident late last year.
The Senate is in recess until 4:00 p.m.
Of the 20 bills passed was Senate Bill 437, which would regulate commercial dog-breeding operations. Senate Bill 663, which would create the Feed to Achieve Act. This bill would provide free and nutritious breakfasts and lunches to students in public schools, was also passed. In addition to those, House Bill 2014, the budget bill, passed as well. This bill would make apprpriations of public money out of the treasury in accordance with section fifty-one, article six of the constitution.
Senate Bill 470, which would permit wine sale on Sunday mornings at fairs and festivals and Senate Bill 460, which would exempt certain residents' active duty military pay from state income tax, were both advanced to third reading.
One of the bills advanced to second reading was Senate Bill 521, which would create amnesty program for certain drivers with suspended or revoked licenses.
The House also completed legislative action on two House Bills including House Bill 2542, relating to publication of the Senate Register and House Bill 2979, relating to broadband deployment projects.
Also, the House adopted House Concurrent Resolution 107, expressing support for the President's proposal to increase minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.00 and hour as well as House Concurrent Resolution 140. Six Senate Concurrent Resolutions were also adopted in addition to six Senate Concurrent Resolutions.
The House will reconvene today at 3:00 p.m.
The Senate convened this morning to complete legislation on 17 bills, pass 14 bills, and adopt three Senate Resolutions. Bills that completed legislation in the Senate today include House Bill 2548 , increases the fine and jail time for an assault or battery against an athletic official who is acting in an official capacity. Previously the fine for an assault was between $50 and $100; now, the fine is no more than $500. The jail time has been increased from between 24 hours and 30 days to not more than 6 months. The offender can be charged a fine, jail time, or both.
The bills that passed in the Senate today include House Bill 2453 , also know as "Skylar's Law", expands the Amber Alert Plan. Previously, the plan only included abducted children. This bill will activate Amber Alerts for children who are believed to be missing.
Senate Resolution 66 was one of three resolutions adopted today. It recognized West Virginia's sister-state relationship with Taiwan.
UPDATE:
The Senate reconvened this afternoon to concur and complete one bill and advance 54 bills to third reading.
The only bill to complete legislation this afternoon in the Senate was Senate Bill 243 , which modifies an existing Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) rule which establishes an air quality operating permits program for sources of air pollution consistent with the requirements of Title V of the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) and the underlying federal regulation. The rule includes requirements relating to obtaining a permit, submitting an application, paying fees, issuing a permit, and reporting and monitoring information.
The Senate will reconvene tomorrow morning at 11am.
Thirty-nine bills were read and advanced to third reading. Senate Bill 371, which relates to jail overcrowding. The bill clarifies that offenses subject to graduated sanctions for probationers and parolees are not applicable to new criminal conduct other than minor traffic violations and simple possession of controlled substances as virtually all West Virginia offenses or one or the other. This bill along with Senate Bill 481, which relates to juvenile mental health treatment, advanced to third reading.
House Bill 2014 was also advanced to third reading. This bill relates to the budget, it would make appropriations of public money out of the treasury in accordance with section fifty-one, article six of the Constitution.
Senate Bill 172, which relates to nonintoxicating beer distributor licensees and Senate Bill 414, which clarifies hunting and fishing license-issuing authorities were both advanced to second reading.
The House is adjourned until tomorrow at 11 a.m.
The Senate convened this morning to concur and complete four bills, pass three bills, advance 28 bills to second reading, and 25 to first reading. Bills that completed legislation today include House Bill 2471 , prohibiting the restriction or otherwise lawful possession, use, carrying, transfer, transportation, storage or display of a firearm or ammunition during a declared state of emergency.
House Bill 2497 , one of three bills that passed unanimously today, relates to broadband deployment projects. The bill will increase the minimum data rates & other minimum services required in broadband service.
Bills advanced to third reading today include House Bill 2357 , relating to sexting by minors.
Finally, the Senate received a proclamation from the Governor extending the Legislative Session by six days to solely consider the budget bill.
The following committees will meet today:
The Committee on Education will meet today at 2:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Finance will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 451M.
The Committee on Judiciary will meet today at 3:00 p.m. in 208W.
The Senate is in recess until today at 5:00 p.m.
UPDATE
The Senate reconvened this evening to receive committee reports and read several bills a first time.
Bills read a first time include House Bill 2265, relating to the school access safety act.
The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.
The House met today to complete legislation on 17 bills.
Of the 17 bills passed was Senate Bill 387, which relates to family court judge supervision of criminal background investigations. This bill would grant family court judges the authority to compel and supervise investigation on the background of a criminal when appropriate.
House Bill 2815 was also completed. This bill would clarify and modify the process of appointing and terminating guardians for minors in the primary context of administration of estates and trusts. This bill addresses who may file a petition for guardianship of a minor, venue, interaction with other court cases, service requirements, circumstances that may warrant appointment of a guardian, and more.
The House also adopted House Resolution 35 today. This resolution recognizes the 100th year of the West Virginia Division of Highways.
The House is in recess until 1:30 p.m. today.
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